Saturday, 1 August 2015

So many lovely entries for another week's challenge and now that we are starting the eighth month in the year we are getting nearer to Christmas than perhaps we care to think. Some of us have quite a few cards made already, but if you haven't, then I hope you will find this challenge helpful to get you started.

Please note that I publish the prize winners here and on our facebook page, but don't notify winners individually - it is up to you all to check to see if you have won and email me as requested. There are one or two unclaimed prizes, so it's worth having a look back to see if you were a winner.

Before I get on to today's challenge, I need to let you know the winners of challenge 239. There were five opportunities to win a prize:

'Hi my name is Bren, I have been crafting since the year dot. I like to have a few different things on the go at once, knitting, sewing, paper crafting etc, just so I can swap and change around a bit.I made a few cards with my machine embroidery on, and was asked if I made embroidery to sell, that is how Craftybrens was born. Hope you like what you see.'

The randomly chosen winner will receive £10 of goods from Craftybren's Embroidered Embellishments - please note that if the winner lives outside the UK he/she will be expected to pay for the P & P.

'Whoopsi Daisy Digi Stamps features all hand drawn images by the amazing Linnie and specialises in cute images of children. Whoopsi Daisy offers a great deal for your money. Take a look at the Whoopsi Daisy shop where you are certain to find awesome images which will fit all your creative needs.'

'Hi! I'm Susan and one of the artist and owners of Sentimental Susan. I'm a crafter who loves to create Greeting Cards, invitations, bookmarks and more! I love to color; I'm just a kid at heart. I also love to draw when I can. I am married to Kevin, who also draws and puts up digital images for the site. He is from Australia. This is definitely a family venture, everyone in the family has contributed except for my son. I’m sure he will get up something soon. My kids are much more talented than I am!! J We are really happy to be sponsoring some challenges and we look forward to seeing all of the fantastic creations. There is nothing more exciting than seeing something you have drawn created into something spectacular!!'

Please visit the websites of these generous sponsors and support them -

you will be spoiled for choice!

Please look down the sidebar on the right to see all of the sponsors giving out prizes during this year. I am so thankful for everyone so generously coming on board to support me. When buying your crafting goodies, please click on the links to see what's on offer in their online stores and support them as much as you can with your orders.

Now it's over to you. As usual, you can use any materials, any techniques - and this week I'd like you to feature two of something or perhaps use two of something.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with for this challenge - please add a link to your blog post (not your blog, but the actual post where your card can be found) by 22:00 UK time Friday 7 August 2015. Please include a link to this blogpost within the post for your creation.

You can enter as many times as you wish and also link to any other challenges that allow you to do so, but new work only, please.

A new challenge will be set on Saturday 8 August 2015 when there will be four chances to win a prize, thanks to generous sponsors.

Please add your link to inlinkz. If by any chance it disappears, please leave a comment with the link to your blog post and I will make sure it is added.

If you haven't done so already, please become a follower and grab my bright pink button to post on your sidebar and help continue to spread the word about this challenge blog - thank you. Also it would be great if you would consider becoming a follower - lovely to welcome recent new followers and 'likers' on facebook.

Please also consider going to CHNC Facebook page and clicking 'like' if you haven't done so already and encourage your friends to do the same. We now have over 380 'likes' - it was lovely to welcome some new 'likers' yet again this week, but there's plenty of room for more! I always show at least one of my cards for the next challenge in advance and it's a good place to catch up with any news, winners etc.

Don't forget

Don't forget that 'anything goes' monthly challenges are on my Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra blog - you can share any Christmas card you make throughout the whole month, including those that you link here - there is no restriction on the number of entries you can make throughout the month - the link for CHNC challenge extra for August is here.

Last year I started up a new challenge called Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - anything goes as long as you cover your card with patterned paper - a randomly chosen prize winner every month. Please click on the link to find out more. If you have used patterned paper to cover your card blank for your Christmas card, why not enter it there too. And please be aware that the Patterned Paper Challenge is not restricted to Christmas - it is for any occasions.